Any parent will tell you that eating out with young diners can often be more difficult than it needs to be. Finding somewhere with decent food for both adults and children, a place where a bit of healthy boisterousness isn’t frowned upon, and where necessities such as high chairs are available if required, can call for some research.
Thankfully, there are restaurants, cafes and hotels across Ireland such as the ones we’ve detailed here that make it their business to make eating out a breeze for you and the little eaters in your life.
Overends Kitchen at Airfield Estate
Dundrum, Dublin 14; 01-969 6666; airfield.ie
Boasting a playground, farmyard, fairy fort, walled garden and more, Airfield Estate is so family friendly that you could easily keep your little ones entertained there for the whole summer; day tickets and memberships are available to purchase on its website. Overends Kitchen has free parking, a bonus if you need to load up the car with buggies, boosters and the like. A short walk away from Dundrum Town Centre and the green line Luas stop at Balally, it has plenty of room for groups of all sizes. The daily-changing menu is centred on fresh produce from the estate’s 38-acre farm, and there’s a very lovely selection of sweet treats.
Grow HQ
Dunmore Road, Waterford; 051-584 422; giy.ie
Grow HQ is the focal point of GIY (Grow It Yourself) in Waterford, its mission to highlight how food is grown before it’s cooked into delicious dishes for you to eat. Vegetables are at the centre of chef JB Dubois’ menus in the Grow HQ Cafe, plus there’s a zero-waste ethos, complimented by a refill shop. There’s plenty of room for children to run around here, and strolling through the gardens after you’ve had a feed would be a great way to while away the time as you learn about the journey of food from farm to fork.
Grangecon Kitchen
Grangecon, Co Wicklow; 087-747 8863; grangeconkitchen.ie
Located in the tiny village of Grangecon in west Wicklow, Grangecon Kitchen feels idyllic. You can buy takeaway coffee, treats and take-home meals – perfect picnic fare if you’re planning to tire out little legs on a nearby walk such as in The Lord’s Wood in Baltinglass or Mullaghreelen Wood in Castledermot – but outdoor dining under the cover of Grangecon Kitchen’s cosy tent is where the true magic happens. Adorned with beautiful flowers and surrounded by space to roam, you’ll find a seasonal, comforting all-day brunch menu on offer, as well as very tasty cakes from the in-house bakery.
Blackrock Cottage
Salthill Promenade, Galway; 091-399 280; blackrockcottage.ie
Tucked away on the edge of Galway Bay in a restored famine-era cottage, Blackrock Cottage has a really good menu for kids. There’s none of that frozen pizza malarkey here; instead you’ll find grilled chicken and mash, chowder and an impressive knickerbocker glory. Breakfast, lunch and brunch are also available and if you’re in your healthy era you’ll also find açai from Álainn available from the food truck on site – the small size would be perfect for children.
Good Day Deli and Nádúr Deli
Nano Nagle Place, Cork; 021-432 2107; gooddaydeli.ie
Sustainable and delicious, Good Day Deli’s offerings include breakfast, lunch, natural wines and a serious coffee selection, as well as a tasty menu for kids. Nádúr Deli is its extension, with a cafe setting that’s perfect for those looking for a quicker bite. Nano Nagle Place has really lovely gardens and space to roam, so you’ll often find kids running around, enjoying the sunshine and a sweet treat, while their parents look on, at peace with a coffee or glass of wine. Sounds ideal, right?
Killruddery
Bray, Co Wicklow; 01-286 3405; killruddery.com
From The Grain Store and the Pizza Shed, to the cafe, cookie corner and weekend market, there are plenty of dining options at Killruddery in Bray. In the restaurant, the backbone of the menu is the produce grown in the walled garden and meat from animals reared on the estate. If you’d prefer something more casual, the Pizza Shed specialises in wood-fired creations, while the cafe offers sandwiches and treats for all palates. Between the courtyard and grounds (you’ll need either a membership or to purchase a pass to walk any of the trails), there’s always something to younger visitors busy, including the popular treetop Squirrel Scramble adventure course and regular events.
Castlemartyr Resort
Castlemartyr, Co Cork; 021-421 9000; castlemartyrresort.ie
If you’re in search of a family staycation, the five-star Castlemartyr Resort might be the place for you. Of course, the grounds are beautiful and they alone could keep your brood entertained, but there’s also a plethora of activities available, including kayaking, cycling, archery and tennis. There’s also a kids club and garden games, plus the option to book a very sweet teddy bear’s picnic with your very own bear and kites to fly. Menu-wise, you’ll find children are well looked after, with impressive offerings available and activity pages to keep them busy while you enjoy yourself.
Dunmore House
Clonakilty, Co Cork; 023-883 3352; dunmorehousehotel.ie
Picturesque Dunmore House feels like it’s on the edge of the world, overlooking Clonakilty Bay with views of the sea. Its menus are informed by the produce grown in the kitchen garden, which you can almost see from the diningroom of Adrift, the hotel’s fine-dining restaurant. You can also enjoy casual dining in the buzzy bar, as well as Sunday lunch. The sea terrace, however, is a wonderful option for the whole family; from here you can tuck into wood-fired pizza from Boatshed Pizza while you and your loved ones watch the tide roll in. It’s a family owned and operated property, so you’ll be in good hands.
